Fourth of July fireworks show was smooth, but shortened

The July 4 “Lights on the Lake” fireworks went off without a hitch, but one thing was different about this year’s show.

“We shortened them this year,” said Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority Executive Director Carol Chaplin. “Some communities canceled them completely, but we worked hard to keep ours.”

About $110,000 less was spent this year than the previous year on the fireworks show, which was about 20 minutes long instead of 27 minutes, said LTVA Sales and Events Manager Mike Frye.

“It’s not an inexpensive event to put on,” Chaplin said.

The fireworks had to be shortened this year because of budget reductions, Chaplin said. The LTVA worked with the producer Pyro Spectaculars Inc. so that the quality of the show could be maintained.

“Pyro was terrific,” Frye said. “They worked with us and understood the deal.”

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Frye said other places, such as Reno, had to cancel their July 4 fireworks, and the company helped brainstorm the best show with the budget.

“They put a lot of effort into making sure we had a good show,” Frye said.

Pyro Spectaculars will also be putting on the Labor Day fireworks, Frye said.

Lights on the Lake wasn’t the only July 4 fireworks show catching viewers’ attention on the South Shore. A private fireworks display was put on at Jameson Beach, Chaplin said. She did not know who funded that show, but said the LTVA was notified of it.

Overall, business was good during the holiday weekend, Chaplin said.

More people came up to the lake on the Friday before the holiday instead of staying Sunday night, Chaplin said.

“We were blessed with good weather and with those who wanted to travel,” Chaplin said. “It was as good as it could be in this environment.”